Milton E. “Humpty” Warner, 88, of South 13th Street, Niles, died at 8:48 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2011 at his home of an extended illness.

Mr. Warner was born March 8, 1923 in Wabash, Ind. to George Robert and Mary Ann (Kline) Warner. He was a lifetime area resident. He retired in 1987 after 20 years of service at the Niles Township Police Department. Prior to working at the police department, he was employed at South Bend Tool and Die.

Milton was a veteran of World War II, having served in the 75th Division of the United States Army, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the American Legion Post 26 in Niles and the VFW Post 4952 in Berrien Springs. He was also a member of Saint Joseph Valley Lodge 4, F & A.M. and the Fraternal Order of Police.

On April 13, 1944 in Angola, Ind., he married the former Joan Marie Shirk, who survives.

Surviving family includes their sons, Wayne (Lynn) Warner of Sawyer, Mich. and Gary (Louveta) Warner of Cassopolis; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Mildred “Mim” Ferrell of Indianapolis.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Wanda Wenger; sister, Eva Street; and brother, George Henry Warner.

Funeral services for Milton E. Warner will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with the Rev. Rich Zeiger of Real Life Community Church in Three Oaks officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with full military honors by American Legion Post 51, Buchanan.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and will conclude with masonic rites at 8 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Milton may be made to Hospice at Home or the donor’s choice.